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A t Stratford Hall, Outdoor Experi- ential Education (OEE) is more than time outside the classroom. It is a biweekly, adventure in sport and immersive outdoor education that is embedded in the grade 4-10 curriculum at the Vancouver-based International Baccalaureate school. And the kids can't wait for it. Stratford Hall is an urban school that strives to develop harmony between the urban and natural worlds. The outdoor education program's experiential-driven philosophy provides opportunities for students to challenge the limitations they put on themselves, foster independence and resilience, and develop a personal relationship with the outdoors—while, of course, having so much fun. Led by Director of OEE, Mitch Taylor, students learn problem solving through a variety of different tasks and activities including kayaking, SUP, climbing, biking and camping, to name a few. "This commitment to outdoor learning ensures students are regularly connected with the natural world," Taylor says. "These trips are ideal for fostering environmen- tal stewardship, building collaborative skills, and pushing boundaries through risk-taking." APPROACHES TO LEARNING Besides the physical benefit of mastering activities like rock climbing or kayaking, OEE and its activities are the catalysts for life skills like perseverance, emotional management and negotiation. The cycling program, for instance, encourages students to practice leadership skills and consider implications of choice as they lead their peers through the streets of Vancouver. While in the cooking program, students learn to negotiate fairly, practice self- advocacy and collaboration, and develop independence as they take control of their nutrition. The snowshoeing program is another perfect example. In it, student can engage in snowball fights—an activity often deemed unsafe—because snowball fights allow students to explore nature and phys- ical activity while negotiating, cooperating, and understanding consent and fair play. "Observing a group of sixth-graders diligently discussing and setting the parameters for a snowball fight is a sight to behold," Taylor says. "They ensure everyone feels comfortable, understand- ing when someone wants to participate or not, or when someone needs help or wants to exit the game. OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION: Learning Unscripted Vancouver's Stratford Hall, and independent International Baccalaureate school, brings kids outside to learn negotiation, self-advocacy, healthy risk-taking and other real-life skills sponsored report